University President Christopher Eisgruber ’83 reflected on the commitment to service emphasized at his graduation, and how such a commitment remains important today. He underscored the empathy needed in today’s day and age, particularly in order to overcome the difficult politics and disagreements characteristic of the time.

Reflecting on his conversations at the University, Cruz noted that there could be both seriousness and lightheartedness at times.“You engaged in ideas, but also learned not to take yourself too seriously," he said. “I’d call a friend a Communist, he’d call me a Fascist, then we’d sit down and have a beer.”

Luhrmann explained that when Fitzgerald left Princeton, the world was undergoing immense, cataclysmic change.“Now, the world is out of ideas again. It’s exhausted, it’s tired, it’s confused. It needs you. Your truth, your play, your superpower. So, get out there, and make the world new again,” Luhrmann finished.

Four seniors, five juniors and one sophomore have been chosen as members of the Wilson School’s Scholars in the Nation’s Service Initiative (SINSI). This program is designed to help students gain opportunities in public service and later work in the federal government.

"Simply put, you blaspheme, you die,” said activist Arafat Mazhar in a talk on Monday.Mazhar is the founder and director of Engage Pakistan, a nonprofit organization in Pakistan that aims to reform Pakistan’s blasphemy law.Before speaking, Mazhar clarified that when he spoke of “blasphemy,” he was referring to any insult or criticism of the Prophet Muhammad.

Many people falsely continue to believe that having token minorities is a solution to a lack of diversity, while the key really lies in diversity of thought, said General Ann Dunwoody at a lecture this past Monday.Dunwoody is the first woman in United States history to be ranked as a four-star general.Dunwoody said she initially joined the army after her junior year of college due to a paid army incentive designed to recruit more women.

Free speech introduces dissent and disagreement, and can introduce critical thinking on college campuses, David French, a staff writer at National Review, said in a lecture Tuesday.French began by describing college as a place where one could explore “dangerous or contentious ideas in the classroom.” He said that during his college experience at a highly conservative college, he did not see any chastisement or rebuke of diverging thoughts on controversial issues.He added that at the time, he viewed free speech as a mechanism for having difficult and infuriating conversations, and as something that improved and sharpened the mind.French explained that upon arriving at Harvard Law School, his perception of free speech changed.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has allegedly used more than $10 million tax dollars to pay for legal services regarding the Fort Lee George Washington Bridge lane closure case, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Christie is an ex-officio member of the University Board of Trustees.
The 2013 case consisted of members of the Christie administration collaborating to create intentional traffic jams in Fort Lee, New Jersey.

The University announced its strategic planning framework, recently adopted by its Board of Trustees, on Tuesday.
The framework will focus on the University's commitment to research and the liberal arts, with an emphasis on diversity and inclusivity, affordability and service, and includes plans to accept transfer students, expand student body and create a seventh residential college.
“The vision that is expressed in the strategic framework document is one that I own wholeheartedly and am delighted to have the Trustees putting forward,” University President Christopher Eisgruber ’83 Eisgruber said.
The framework identifies the University’s strategic priorities, such as expanding the student body and developing new facilities to better support engineering and environmental studies.In light of the University's mission as a residential liberal arts research university, priorities such as expanding the Graduate School are also being considered.
Among other plans, the report states that the University will institute a small transfer admissions program for the first time since 1990, in order to attract students of diverse backgrounds, including military veterans and low-income students who may have begun their post-secondary careers in community colleges.

University President Emerita Shirley Tilghman will be joining the Harvard Corporation in January.The Harvard Corporation is the oldest corporate body in the United States, and is also known as the President and Fellows of Harvard College, according to the corporation homepage.Tilghman will be replacing Harvard advisor James Rothenberg, who unexpectedly passed away in July.Though joining the Harvard Corporation Board is a significant commitment, Tilghman explained that her role at the University will not be altered.

Matthew Frawley, the former Director of Student Life of Mathey College, has departed his position in Mathey to work as the Senior Associate Director of Career Education in the University's Office of Career Services.
His new position became effective on Nov.

New Jersey governor and ex officio University Trustee Chris Christie’s support has decreased in the four latest national polls predicting the Republican nominee for president, while Texas Senator Ted Cruz ’92 has seen a sharp increase in popularity.
Christie has consistently wavered in polls, peaking at 3 percent in mid-September, according to Huffington Post opinion polls.

The University of Virginia and the University will be digitizing the papers of President Woodrow Wilson, Class of 1879, director of the Princeton University Press Peter Dougherty said.The digitization process began Oct.

Murray-Dodge Café will be housed in the Carl A. Fields Center on Prospect Avenue during the 2015-16 academic year, Office of Religious Life Operations and Events Coordinator Joanne Sismondo said.
The entire Murray-Dodge building, which dates to 1900, is undergoing significant renovations in order to satisfy fire code regulations and become handicapped accessible, Sismondo said, noting that there will be handicap-accessible bathrooms in the basement and on the second floor, and an elevator that will go to all levels of Murray-Dodge Hall.
“Smoke alarms will be going in, and sprinklers, and all that 21st century kind of stuff,” Dean of Religious Life Alison Boden said.
The Office of Religious Life, also housed in Murray-Dodge Hall, has temporarily relocated to Green Hall.

U.S. Senator for Texas Ted Cruz ’92 and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie have support from six percent and three percent of the party, respectively, according to a recent CNN national poll. These ratings keep both Cruz and Christie ranked in the top 10 Republican presidential hopefuls, although they trail behind several other candidates.
Donald Trump is the party’s front-runner with 24 percent, followed by Carly Fiorina with 15 percent and Ben Carson with 14 percent.
Both Cruz and Christie have significant ties to the University.